[DiogenesLamp]

The United States Constitution provided the means to end slavery - the amendment process. But there was no pressure to abolish slavery. The new president said that he had no intention to change the status quo.

Oh, so you do understand that the "right" to own human beings was going to be protected by Lincoln?

So why did this "right" which Lincoln was going to continue, become unacceptable when people wanted to get free of Lincoln's control?

[BroJoeK]

DiogenesLamp to rockrr: "Oh, so you do understand that the "right" to own human beings was going to be protected by Lincoln?
So why did this "right" which Lincoln was going to continue, become unacceptable when people wanted to get free of Lincoln's control?"

Once again: "contraband of war" was understood as far back as our Founders, specifically, John Quincy Adams who mentored 38 year-old Congressman Lincoln in 1847-'48.
I think Adams understood that if secession lead to Civil War, then the President could declare fugitive slaves "contraband of war" and so emancipate them in states then under rebellion.

Yes, Lincoln was willing to settle for less than 100% abolition and citizenship for freed slaves, in exchange for peace, but Jefferson Davis refused and fought on until Unconditional Surrender, 13th, 14th & 15th Amendments.